C.L.I.F. Notes

The Collegiate Life Investment Foundation, or C.L.I.F. is an informative foundation aimed at educating the high-school and college population about the dangers of distracted driving through community involvement; and by serving as an investment vehicle to invest in the lives of African American young men and women committed to a lifetime of abstaining from the use of mobile cell phones while operating a vehicle.

Monday, May 20, 2013

Three triplets in Seekonk, Mass have made the commitment
to refrain from texting and driving; and has taken on the challenge to require
the same commitment from others in their community.Matthew, Timothy and Brian Salit passion
against texting and driving started when a track competitor of theirs from
another school was killed by a texting driving.One of the triplets, Timothy, explained: "It really started making
us think: this is a problem that's going to haunt us if we don't stop this now.”

The Salit triplets
organized the Massachusetts Distracted Driving Summit on last weekend at the
State House in Boston.Students from 25
different high schools took part in the summit by volunteering and going
through the distracted driving training, which included a texting and driving
simulator.

It is inspiring to hear
that people, young and old, are being to take the issue of distracted driving
seriously.It is even more inspiring
when these individuals are not personally (relative, friends, etc) effect by
its dangers, but take time out of their lives to bring awareness about its
dangers.

THREE cheers for the
TRIPLETS of Seekonk, Massachusetts, we appreciate you!!!Reference:
WPRI 12

Monday, February 11, 2013

Apple has done it again! Siri continues to make an impact on every
industry throughout the world. Honda has
now integrated support for Apple’s Siri digital assistant for owners who have
compatible iPhones in some of the 2013 models.
According to Honda, the integration will also include the 2013 Acura RDX
and ILX; and the iPhone device will need to be running at least the iOS6
system. Assistant Vice President of
Automobile Product Planning Vicki Poponi said:

“iPhone has become so integral to
people’s lives that they continue to use them in their vehicles. Offering Honda
and Acura owners Siri and its Eyes Free mode via Bluetooth is an incredible
opportunity to provide next-generation connectivity and meet our customer’s
ever-changing needs.”

Apple designers explain that the
Eyes Free Mode works in connection with the vehicle’s voice control systems,
and it I this that allows the driver to speak a specific command without having
to look at the phone or press any buttons.
Already aboard The BMWs, the mode includes asking Siri to send text
messages, call contacts, find directions, read app notifications, and check and
record calendar and reminder information.
Furthermore, a special feature of the Eyes Free Mode keeps the phone’s screen
from lighting up, which minimizes the likelihood of a driver becoming
distracted from looking down at the phone.

What does this mean for our
roads? As we have seen since the
development of Siri, she has made it easier for those individuals who cannot seem
to part with their phones while driving, a simpler, and safer way to
communicate while driving. For those of
us who are committed to distracted-driving free roadways Siri has become a
potential dream come true; and with the integration in economy cars, Apple
continues to set itself apart from the rest.

The only question now is, will drivers take advantage? Would you buy a car simply for its hands-free
capabilities? Tell us what you think!

Monday, January 28, 2013

Typically I take the time out to blog about interesting distracted driving stories or facts I've come across, but this week's blog will go to something that's equally important for non-profit organizations... FUNDRAISING!!! I am not sure who came up with the bright idea to include "fun" in the word, because if you have ever done it, sometimes it can be anything but that. However, C.L.I.F. has decided its time to put the "fun" back and "fundraiser" and collect some money to support a cause bring awareness to distracted driving across the country. C.L.I.F. is holding two model calls for the public to become involved in the first every "Distracted Runway" Fundraiser Fashion Show held on March 23, 2013!!! Monies raised will benefit the Clifton B. Gibbs Scholarship Fund. CHECK IT OUT!! You might be glad you did!

For more information about the model calls or the show please visit our website at www.clif2012.org or email us at collegiatelifeinvestmentfond@gmail.com

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

In the earlier months of 2012, the Tennessee Department of
Transportation began to use the electronic signs above the highways to display
a continuous ticker of the number of traffic fatalities throughout the
state. The signs were intended to
increase highway safety throughout the state.
The result of a grieving mother whose son was killed a few years prior
in a traffic accident, the electronic reminders were the topic of several
controversial conversations. Although
intentions were positives, drivers across the states felt that the tickers
caused more harm than help. Several
reported accidents were the result of drivers being distracted by the
signs. In addition, some drivers felt
the signs were a continuous reminder of who they lost on the roadways, versus
honoring their memories. Either way the
TDOT commissioner has decided to only show the numbers on Fridays rather than
on a daily basis. The department also
will use the sign to continuous highway safety awareness by displaying messages
discouraging texting while driving, drunk driving, seat belt safety,
construction information, and other important traffic message.

Tennessee drivers, how do you feel about the new decision
made about the TDOT fatality ticker? Do
you feel that it helps bring highway safety awareness or should it be removed
all together?

from other US states, what do you think? Does your department of transportation have
some type of program similar to the one in Tennessee? If not, would you appreciate one being
implemented?

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

The term "Distracted Driving" has just recently started to stick in the brains of drivers everywhere. Before, people used "texting and driving" and "distracted driving" as interchangeable terms. However, because distracted driving continues to cause problems on the road ways, more and more people are becoming aware of what distracted driving is and what it can consist of.

All distractions that drivers engage in while driving can fit in three main categories: Visual, Manual, and Mental.

Visual distractions involves activities that cause the driver to take his/her eyes off the road. This type of distraction is commonly associated with applying facial make-up or looking for an item in the car.

Manual distractions involves the driver taking his/her hands off the wheel while driving. This type of distraction is commonly associated with eating or drinking while driving; at which point drivers tend to use their knees to steer the wheel.

Mental, also known as cognitive distractions involves taking your mind off the act of driving. This type of distraction is commonly associated with talking on the phone while driving. A driver's mind is so focus on the conversation, he/she is usually unaware of what is happening on the roads.

So I ask, which type of distracter are you? Let me help... if you text and drive, you are ALL three!!

Saturday, November 10, 2012

The Cheese State has passed a law prohibiting all cell phone
use drivers, while operating a motor vehicle.Although Wisconsin law currently prohibits texting while driving, the
new law provisions targets young driver statewide ages 18 and under, but also
focuses on any drivers with probationary licensing.This includes drivers who previous license
was in another country, new residents to the state with less than three years
of driving experience and/or under the age of 21, and citizens with suspended
permits and/or licenses.The law bans
the use of cell phone usage will driving, whether a hands-free accessory
accompanies it.The fines under the new
provisions range from $20 - $40 for the first offense and $50 - $100 for
subsequent convictions within the same year.The governor signed the law late March, and it took full effect
throughout the state on November 1, 2012.

Is this enough? Granted Wisconsin has taken some initiative
where other states have not, but as safe drivers, we must question is this a satisfactory
solution?Although teens/young adults
statically engage in distracted driving practices more than any other age group
that does not mean that they are the sole source.Is it asking too much to require the same
expectations of teens and young adults as we do their parents?

The fines put in place in Wisconsin and several states
across the nation do not seem to put much pressure on distract drivers to put
down the phone.There are parking
tickets that cost more than $40, and speeding ticket prices drastically surpass
$500 - $100.This being the case, are lawmakers
really taking distracted driving as a serious issue?What do you think?

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the top ten most dangerous foods are:1. Coffee. Even with a travel lid, hot coffee can find its way out of the opening when you hit a bump.2. Hot soup. Many people drink it like coffee and run the same risks.

3. Tacos. Any food that can disassemble itself will leave your car looking like a salad bar.

4. Chili dogs. Huge potential for drips and slops down the front of clothing.

5. Hamburgers. From the grease to the toppings, it could end up on your hands and the steering wheel.

6. Ribs and wings. What's more distracting than licking your fingers?

7. Fried chicken. More greasy hands. You've got to wipe them off while you're driving.

8. Jelly donuts. It's not possible to eat one without watching the center ooze out.

9. Soda. Carbonation. Fizz in the nose. Lids that leak. Disaster.

10. Chocolate. Try to clean melted chocolate off the steering wheel without swerving.